Yes, the lobby HAS in fact re-located to the Tropics space, though it no longer looks as it does in that photo.

I was just there today and spoke with the friendly desk-manager, Michael, who told me that the lobby is now permanently located in what was the former "art gallery" section of the Tropics restaurant, and a very nice looking lobby it is, with red and earth tones predominating, with a variety of tikis and tiki wall-art in abundant evidence, and an overall vibe that is a synthesis of MCM and Tiki, ala Shag.

However, there's a cavernous empty feel to the rest of the space, especially where all the restaurant booths sit forlornly empty and unused in an otherwise white, featureless space.

And when I asked about the bar (not currently in operation and with what looked like a shower curtain blocking the entrance!), Michael told me the plans were to have it up and running by the first of the year. (Well, we can always hope -- but for WHAT, given the bar's recent history?)

Anyway, it's sad that for a place with such a rich history and so much remaining POTENTIAL, it always seems to be limping along with small improvements and changes made at a snail's pace. However, with all its ups and downs over the years, the Caliente Tropics still should not be allowed to die a slow, ignominious death. Of course, in the current economy I suppose it's impressive enough that the place is still open for business at all!

I am Glad they fixed the A frame up front,but I am still shocked by how the rest of the place looks. If you look a little deeper then the basics of the great pool area it seems like the rest of the place is falling apart.

Just stayed here last week and was surprised by the restaurant/bar space. Not tiki but looked swanky-esque. I asked when the restaurant/bar would be ready. They said it's ready, been ready, just needs someone to rent/run the space. Said whomever rents it has to run the restaurant and the bar. They've had people that wanted to run the bar but not the restaurant. They have new management and have had several inquiries about the restaurant in the last couple of weeks. Soooo we'll see what comes of that.

When you pull into the parking lot the little bldg on the left, I'm assuming old lobby(?), was all ripped up. She said they're turning it into a gym. When I'm tiki-ing I'm not thinking about treadmills but that's just me talkin'.

Enjoyed seeing all the tikis and the landscaping looked good. Wished there was some music playing while we floated in the pool though. I mean some lady had her iPad out there playing Poison, but not really what we had in mind.

Just as the sun started going down, the misters in the reef bar came on....wasn't that hot and no one in the bar, but ok.

We also stayed at the Orbit In down the street. They don't have a bar or liquor license but they give out free drinks at 5 everyday. Caliente Tropics should totally do something like that! Free Mai Tais at 5 who's in?
I'm preaching to the choir I know. I suggested that to the front desk girl, she just shrugged her shoulders, like I dunno, I guess, sounds cool.

Overall I liked it just wish it had a little more life to it. I get the same feeling when I stay at a La Qunita. Ya just check in, take a swim if ya want, go to bed. A bar and restaurant would definitely add some life.

Some images of the hotels days of yore hung around the lobby would be cool. There's no info on the history of the place. I saw something like this at Hotel Valley Ho in Phoenix. I thought it was pretty cool.

Also weird there was no notepad or pen in the hotel room. First time I've seen that...err haven't seen that. Wished it had some kind of guest directory in the room.

I took some pics of the restaurant and bar that I plan on posting.

So who wants to pool their money and get that restaurant and bar up and running???

Good to hear about the refurbishment. An August 2012 review on TripAdvisor indicates that there are no operators for the diner yet.

Here's hoping someone invests in it, although I can understand that the bar is lower overhead with higher potential profit. Also, in the next block or so East, an established Japanese (I think) restaurant closed, so I could understand that one would could think this location would face the same challenges and want to invest in an eatery located in the village, with its foot traffic. On a brighter note, it seems poised to be a tropical-themed wedding reception venue.